Get ready for “the seventh best party in the world”

Plans are hotting up for the spectacular annual St John’s College May Ball – with the chance to win tickets in a charity raffle.

Famously once named the seventh best party in the world by Time Magazine, this year’s all-night extravaganza promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with new spaces opening up plus a post-fireworks surprise.

Spanning the length and breadth of the historic courts and Backs of St John’s, this lavish event on Tuesday 20 June features live music, all-you-can-eat food and drink as well as the world-class fireworks display, with the theme famously kept secret until guests arrive.

Skye Wong, May Ball 2023 Committee member in charge of sponsorship, said: “I can’t wait for this year’s May Ball – it promises to be better than ever, and the committee is working hard to make the guest experience great. The food and drink selection looks incredible, and the entertainment line-up is jam-packed with all kinds of performances and experiences. It is bound to be a spectacular event and certainly a night to remember.”

A newly-launched charity tickets raffle will see all entrants in with the chance of winning two tickets to the ball for as little as £3 each. All proceeds will go to Mencap and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and the committee will match the amount raised to support the charities.

Entries for the raffle close at 5pm on Thursday 4 May. To find out how to buy raffle tickets, follow St John’s College May Ball on Facebook or Instagram or view the Google form for more details.

The St John’s College May Ball has taken place every June since at least 1888, with the exception of 1910 – following the death of King Edward VII – between the years during and immediately after the First World War and during the Covid-19 pandemic. It returned in a joyous blaze of colour last year for the first time since 2019.

For those wishing to guarantee themselves tickets for this year’s event, the final release has now gone live on the May Ball website on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are open to all Oxbridge students and St John’s Fellows, staff and alumni. Alumni from other Colleges can also purchase tickets – see the May Ball social media posts for more details or email the May Ball President.

Buy your tickets to the St John’s College May Ball 2023

Published 21/4/2023

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